The promise of a single cable for both data and power delivery is no longer just a vision; it is now a reality with Ethernet-APL technology. This groundbreaking advancement is set to revolutionize process industries by enabling seamless and efficient digitalization across every corner of a process plant. Ethernet-APL ensures fast, barrier-free, and reliable communication of large amounts of data, even in potentially explosive areas.
With a transmission speed of 10 Mbit/s, Ethernet-APL is at least 300 times faster than current technologies like HART or fieldbus. This allows users to access extensive information from highly diagnosable and configurable devices over long distances. The latest innovation in this field, the Ethernet-APL Rail Field Switch, facilitates simultaneous information queries from multiple applications. Its diagnostic capabilities through the physical layer enable the detection and elimination of gradual quality deterioration and installation errors. In simple terms, Ethernet-APL technology provides seamless insight that helps maintain high production quality and plant availability.
The Ethernet-APL Rail Field Switch also reports physical layer measurements for fiber optic transmission. Specially developed SFP modules connect the switch to the network using single-mode and multimode fiber optic cables, supporting lengths of up to 30 km. These modules are certified accessories for the switch and can be installed in Zone 2/Div. 2, making them suitable for a wide range of industrial environments.
At ACHEMA 2024, Pepperl+Fuchs showcased the latest infrastructure products for all signal types, including intrinsically safe barriers, remote I/O, fieldbus, and Ethernet-APL. The company emphasized its commitment to guiding planners and end users towards IIoT applications. A new event format, the “Ethernet-APL Expert Talk,” was also launched, featuring discussions among various manufacturers and users. Experts shared their experiences with the challenges, solutions, benefits, and opportunities presented by Ethernet-APL.
The Ethernet-APL Rail Field Switch is a significant innovation in the realm of process automation. By integrating Ethernet-APL and Profibus PA, this field switch acts as a central data hub within the process plant, enabling enhanced connectivity and data management.
With a global workforce of 6,600 employees, Pepperl+Fuchs reported sales of EUR 790 million in 2021. The company, headquartered in Mannheim, Germany, is a leading player in industrial sensor technology and explosion protection. Founded in 1945 as a small family business, Pepperl+Fuchs has grown into an international entity with more than 40 subsidiaries across six continents. This global presence allows the company to combine the highest technical standards with efficient, cost-effective production facilities. Pepperl+Fuchs is now a trusted partner for automation technology users worldwide, offering a comprehensive portfolio of proven components tailored to the demands of both manufacturing and process automation.
The introduction of Ethernet-APL marks a new era for process industries, driving forward digitalization and offering unparalleled improvements in data communication and plant efficiency. As companies like Pepperl+Fuchs continue to innovate, the future of process automation looks brighter than ever.
